Valentine’s Day
I love you, and I love us.
It’s that time of year again! February 14th is Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate relationships and bask in feelings of love, romance, and companionship. (In Canada we have no White Day. Everything happens on Valentine’s Day.)
It’s a Love/Hate Relationship
In reality, many Canadians have a love/hate relationship with this holiday. Some who are in romantic relationships may feel pressure to find the right gift that will please their ‘significant other’. (Significant Other = boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, or partner.) At the same time, single people can feel left out or lonely when this holiday inevitably arrives. Many complain that this holiday is simply a scheme by chocolate companies to increase sales!
But don’t let these feelings get you down. Valentine’s Day can simply be a time to enjoy a casual coffee meeting with a friend, or an opportunity to try new experiences with a date.
Chocolate Lovers
No matter what the situation of your love life, most of us can agree on a shared love of chocolate. And luckily, Vancouver is a great place for chocolate lovers, boasting world-class bakeries and confectioners where you can indulge in a special treat.
Happy Valentine’s Day to the most special person in my life.
Canadian Couples
Canada has all kinds of people and all kinds of couples. Canadians love to spend time with their partners and enjoy activities together. When they go on a date, by far the most popular activity is to go out for a nice dinner together. A more casual date or a first meeting might take place over coffee at one of the city’s many cafes.
If you need cafe recommendations, you could try the Vancouver Coffee Snob’s website here: https://www.vancouvercoffeesnob.com/
There are many other activities Canadian couples enjoy, including hiking, cycling, going to the cinema, walking on the beach, visiting the Aquarium, going skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing, camping, bowling, going for ice cream, shopping, driving, or staying in the comfort of home and watching some Netflix.
Hug it Out
Don’t forget, in Canadian culture we hug to express friendship, caring, and love. And if you’re not comfortable with hugging, that’s okay too. Canadians should respect personal boundaries and try to understand international cultures.
However, you choose to enjoy Valentine’s Day, take time to enjoy your friends and treasured relationships. Look out for interesting and fun activities to join around Vancouver, and have a safe and fun time.